Update: As of 2024 Judge Cho was transferred out of criminal court to hear family law cases. The information in this post is based on Torrance DUI Attorney Matthew Ruff’s personal experience with this bench officer while he presided over criminal cases in the Torrance Court.

In 2023, Judge Cho presided over Division P of the Los Angeles Superior Court in Torrance California, Judge Cho handles the misdemeanor pre trial calendar. Cases heard in Div. P are matters sent from the arraignment court in Div 3. The cases assigned to that courtroom are criminal filings originating from the cities of Rancho Palos Verdes, Lomita, Manhattan Beach, Rolling Hills, Gardena and unincorporated areas in the South Bay that do not have their own city prosecutors.

The Prosecution in the Courtroom is the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. Since Div P is a “matrix” court where cases go after leaving the arraignment and EDP courtroom of D-3, the calendar is mostly misdemeanor matters such as DUI and Domestic Violence. The Court also handles serious felonies and other cases sent to be adjudicated from other courtrooms. Preliminary hearings and motions of all kinds are handled by Judge Cho.

Judge Cho replaced the Honorable Judge George Bird.

First impressions of Judge Cho are that he is punctual, friendly and handled his calendar in an efficient and orderly fashion. Because his background includes criminal prosecution, he is well versed in criminal procedure and the black letter law. He is courteous to all litigants, including pro per defendants, patient and has the ability to logically analyze legal issues presented to him and make well reasoned decisions.

Judge Tony Cho has a background in Civil as well, according to Voters Edge, and this brings a well rounded perspective to his rulings which can often cross over, especially regarding restitution issues which stem from criminal dispositions.

Judge Cho has a background in the Military. His education background is as follows:

George Washington School of Law — Juris Doctor (J.D.), Law (2001)

University of California, Irvine — Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Political Science (1998)

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Tony Cho effectively and efficiently manages his Courtroom and gives everyone appearing before him an opportunity to be heard. He is fair and impartial in his judicial rulings. His demeanor is courteous and open minded. His Judicial Temperament is good, he is ethical and has good communication skills. He is culturally aware and does not display any prejudice or bias whatsoever.

From a local Torrance criminal defense attorney perspective, Judge Cho hands down well reasoned decisions and gives counsel a full opportunity to present his or her case. Having had numerous motions and dispositions before this bench officer, his understanding of the law is good and he applies the law in a neutral manner, even though he spent most of his legal career as a prosecutor in Los Angeles County.

2025 Update: According to the Los Angeles Superior Court website Judge Tony Cho will be assigned to a newly opened “family law courtroom”, Department P, at the Torrance Courthouse, 825 Maple Avenue, Torrance. One-third of open matters currently assigned to Departments 11 and J at the Torrance Courthouse will be randomly reassigned to Judge Cho for all purposes.

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